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MinnesotaReservoir, 1,124 acres, Kanabec County

Knife Lake (Kanabec County, Minnesota) wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-5kt

    ENE, gusts 13

    High 47°F, rain 54%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    3-9kt

    SSE, gusts 18

    High 55°F, rain 69%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 64°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-3kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 60°F, rain 2%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    NE, gusts 11

    High 57°F, rain 24%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 59°F, rain 52%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 60°F, rain 28%

    Light wind

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on Knife

Over the next 7 days on Knife Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

Reading a lake wind forecast

Sustained wind is the average over a couple of minutes; gusts are the short peaks. On inland water the gap between the two matters as much as the average. A steady 12 kt is a pleasant sail, while 8 kt gusting 20 kt knocks small boats flat and tires out paddlers.

On a lake the size of Knife, waves stay modest, but nearby hills, trees and buildings bend the wind. Expect shifts and puffs, especially close to shore, and treat the forecast speed as an average across open water.

The National Weather Service forecast covers a 2.5 km grid, so local effects like a sea breeze off a big lake, a cold front or afternoon thunderstorms can arrive earlier or stronger than shown. Check the forecast again on the morning you go, and keep an eye on small craft advisories.

Knife Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Knife Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 59°F, 52% chance of rain. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Knife Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSE wind around 3 to 9 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Knife Lake wind forecast come from?

From the National Weather Service gridded forecast for the 2.5 km cell over the lake. It is the same forecast local NWS offices use, updated several times a day. We convert wind to knots and add our own go or no-go call for each activity.

What wind is too strong for a kayak or paddleboard?

We flag paddling as risky once sustained wind passes about 8 kt or gusts pass 12 kt, and advise staying ashore above 12 kt sustained or 18 kt gusts. Offshore wind is the most dangerous because it pushes you away from the launch.

Nearby lakes

If Knife is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.